1 . From July to October every year, about a quarter of the world’s blue whales feed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. But the whales currently face a major threat in their favorite feeding area. Ships carrying cargo (货物）sail in the same area at the same time. All too often, the whales’ paths and the ships’ travel lines overlap (重叠), and a ship will hit a whale.

According to a new study, these ship strikes have become a serious threat to the overall population of the world’s blue whales. Only about 10,000 of the creatures still exist worldwide. Blue whales are the largest known animals ever to live on Earth. Even so, if hit by a container ship, a blue whale will likely die from its injuries.

In 2007 alone, large ships killed five blue whales in the waters off San Francisco and Los Angeles, California. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says that because there are so few whales already, losing three to five from the California whale population every year is a significant loss. “The estimated population of blue whales in this part of the Pacific is 2,500”, says Sean Hastings, a NOAA analyst. “So every whale counts toward this species moving off the endangered-species list.”

Now, marine scientists must figure out how to protect the whales from the giant container ships. One very simple program is already under way in the Santa Barbara Channel, a waterway that separates mainland California from the nearby Channel Islands.

The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary has asked large container ships passing through the area to voluntarily slow down. Sailing slower will allow the ships‟ crew (船员）more time to change course before hitting a whale.

Several of the world’s largest shipping lines are set to participate in the new program. For every ship that passes through the Santa Barbara Channel at or below the reduced speed of 12 knots (海里/小时）, the company that owns the ship will be paid $2,500.

1. From Paragraph 1, we can know that_____.

A．people intend to illegally hunt blue whales for money

B．large ships often carrying goods may pollute the sea

C．the container ships may hit the blue whales frequently

D．there is fewer fish in blue whales‟ favorite feeding area

2. Why is the death of several whales regarded as significant loss to the world's blue whales?

A．Because the number of the blue whales is so small.

B．Because other blue whales will be scared away.

C．Because blue whales are the largest animals in the world.

D．Because many blue whales get killed throughout the year.

3. According to Sean Hastings, it’s inferred that            .

A．the number of the blue whales is decreasing sharply.

B．the blue whales are still on the endangered-species list.

C．most of the world’s blue whales live in the Pacific Ocean.

D．blue whales are often disturbed by other endangered creatures.

4. What are the last three paragraphs mainly about?

A．The basic responsibility of a sailor.

B．Measures to protect the blue whales.

C．The world’s largest shipping lines.

D．Ways to slow down the speed of the ships.

2 . If a woman has an extra piece of cake, don’t blame it on greed, blame it on her brain.

Scientists have found that women’s brains react to food very differently — and much more strongly — than men’s. Academics found that decades of dieting pressure on women and advertising have programmed certain parts of the female brain to react strongly when faced with any kind of food. Men, on the other hand, are not usually as obsessive about what they eat.

Dr. Rudolf Uher and his colleagues at the Institute of Psychiatry in King’s College London used brain scanning technology, known as functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI), to look at the brains of eighteen men and women. The volunteers were given images of food to look at, as well as food to taste. Their brain reactions were observed by the scientists. They found that the female brains reacted much more strongly than those of males. The same reaction did not happen when they were shown non-food images. The team believe this means women think more about food than men tend to.

Dr. Uher said, “This could be related to biological differences between men and women. But the more likely explanation is that women have a more complicated reaction to food because of social pressure.”

Professor Carey Cooper, psychology and health professor at Lancaster University, said, “for centuries women have had a providing role — preparing and cooking food for their families. And it's part of that role to make sure the food is safe. They will therefore be much more sensitive to food than men are, and I would not be surprised if that was now built into their DNA. If the female brain reacts to food because it historically has developed neural(神经的) pathways to do this, then food will be the way they express their stress. Food actually, is a comfort for women.”

But other experts have said that more research must be done before the results can be proved. American scientist Angelo del Parigi of the John B. Pierce Laboratory in New Haven, Connecticut, said “Looking at an FMRI alone cannot make sure whether the stronger reaction in women is due to innate (天生的)differences or a learned process.”

1. Dr.Uher and his colleagues carried out the research by comparing ________.

A．Volunteers’ reactions to food before and after meals

B．FMRI’s scanning result of scientists

C．women’s and men’s brain reactions to pictures of food

D．volunteers’ imagination on the taste of food

2. In Dr. Uher’s opinion, women react more strongly to food than men most probably because they are ________.

A．born to do so due to biological reasons

B．influenced by advertisements

C．told to do so for a long time

D．forced by powerful social influences

3. According to Professor Carey Cooper, women ________.

A．are satisfied with preparing food for their families

B．turn to food when they feel sad

C．accept their social role from the heart

D．are stressed because of food safety

4. What was Angelo del Parigi’s attitude towards the research results?

A．Curious.

B．Surprised.

C．Uninterested.

D．Doubtful.

3 . I walked to Mrs. Windsor’s house and waited outside. She was working with another student, and I was not supposed to bother them by ringing the bell. I stood against the wall and daydreamed what I’d rather be doing. I had been tutored enough to read, understand, and even write some musical compositions, but I just didn’t have a gift for it. Mrs. Windsor had offered to give me the lessons for free, so I felt my duty to try.
The door opened and Wendy Barton came out. I walked in, sat down on the piano bench and began to sort through my sheet music. Today Mrs. Windsor introduced her niece Pasha to teach me. With a smile, Pasha sat beside me on the piano bench, opened my sheet music to the beginning page and asked me to play. I arranged my fingers on the keys. Then I frowned(皱眉) and concentrated to make the notes on the page match the finger movements. I had to admit I was a rather mechanical (呆板的) pianist.
After about a page or two, Pasha gently put her hand on top of mine as if to calm my fingers. There was a long pause. “What are you hearing in the music?” I looked at her rather strangely and admitted I didn’t know what she meant. “Like a story. Here, let me try and you listen,” Pasha advised.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting her fingers dance lightly over the keys. Then, she began to play. “See, it begins here beside some kind of river. Hear the water flowing beside you?”
Her fingers rose and fell gently on the keys. “Now the princess appears and she’s picking flowers from the water’s edge.” A happy piece of music filled the air in time to Pasha’s dancing fingers. “Oh, but she slips!” The music changed. “And our princess is being carried off by the fast-flowing stream. Quickly, the princess’ horse sees her plight (困境) and races to the river’s edge where he swims out to let her catch hold of him. Luckily, they make it to the bank.” Pasha said.
I played many pieces of music that afternoon, finding the stories in the music and learning that sometimes it takes a friend to pull you out of the river onto dry land again.
1. By describing herself as a mechanical pianist, the author meant ________.

A．she could remember the notes in a short time

B．she was playing the piano without emotion

C．her fingers couldn’t move freely

D．it had been a long time since she played last time

2. Which of the following can best describe Pasha?

A．Creative.

B．Honest.

C．Humorous.

D．Brave.

3. Pasha’s magic of playing the piano lies in that she ________.

A．imagined herself as a princess

B．knew its original background story

C．had a strong desire to make a friend

D．combined the music with a story

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．A Friend Forever

B．Never Give up

C．A Piano Lesson

D．My Favorite Piece of Music

4 . Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival
Where: Becket, Massachusetts
When: June 15-Aug. 24
Each summer, this influential dance center presents a number of classes and performances by more than 50 companies from around the world. Highlights (最精彩的部分) this season include the Dance Theater of Harlem's production of Alvin Ailey's “The Lark Ascending”, which opens the festival.
Many events are free. Ticketed performances start at $22. jacobspillow.org.
Moab Music Festival
Where: Moab, Utah
When: Aug. 29-Sept. 9
This area is better known for mountain biking than for music. But since 1992, it has hosted a private festival that brings classical, jazz, Latin and other types of music to the land. This year there will be 16 concerts, including three “Grotto Concerts”, where guests take a 45-minute boat ride down the Colorado River to performances.
Events start at $25. moabmusicfest.org.
Cheyenne Frontier Days
Where: Cheyenne, Wyoming
When: July 19-28
There's something for everyone at this 117-year-old festival, from an “Indian village” and Old West museum to country concerts. But the competition is still the main attraction, with cowboys and cowgirls competing for major money in the world's largest outdoor stage.
Competition tickets start at $18, and concert tickets at $23. cfdrodeo.com.
The Glimmerglass Festival
Where: Cooperstown, New York
When: July 6-Aug. 24
Each summer, opera lovers from around the country (and the world) travel to upstate New York to watch productions that include stars like Nathan Gunn and Ginger Costa-Jackson. This year's performances include Wagner's “The Flying Dutchman” and Verdi's “King for a Day”, in honor of the 200th birthdays of both composers (作曲家).
Tickets start at $26. glimmerglass.org.
1. If you want to enjoy a “Grotto Concert”, which date suits you best?

A．June 15.	B．July 19.
C．August 24.	D．September 4.

2. If you go to Cheyenne to watch a competition and enjoy a concert, how much will you pay at least?

A．$18.	B．$22.
C．$36.	D．$41.

3. If you are a big fan of Wagner, you're advised to go to _____.

A．Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival

B．the Glimmerglass Festival

C．Cheyenne Frontier Days

D．Moab Music Festival

5 . Doctors say anger can be an extremely damaging emotion, unless you learn how to deal with it. They warn that anger can lead to heart disease, stomach problems, headaches, emotional problems and possibly cancer.

    1     Some people express anger openly in a calm reasonable way. Others burst with anger, and scream and yell. But other people keep their anger inside. They can not or will not express it. This is called repressing anger.

For years many doctors thought that repressing anger was more dangerous to a person’s health than expressing it. They said that when a person is angry, the brain releases the same hormones (荷尔蒙). They speed the heart rate, raise blood pressure, or sugar into the blood, etc.     2    

Some doctors say that both repressing and expressing anger can be dangerous. They believe that those who express anger violently may be more likely to develop heart disease, and they believe that those who keep anger inside may face a greater danger of high blood pressure.

    3     They say the first step is to admit that you are angry and to recognize the real cause of the anger, then decide if the cause is serious enough to get angry about. If it is, they say, “    4     Wait until your anger has cooled down and you are able to express yourself calmly and reasonably.”

Doctors say that a good way to deal with anger is to find humor in the situation that has made you angry.     5    

A．In general the person feels excited and ready to act.

B．They say that laughter is much healthier than anger.

C．Expressing anger violently is more harmful than repressing it.

D．Anger may cause you a cancer.

E．Do not express your anger while angry.

F．Anger is a normal emotion that we all feel from time to time.

G．Doctors say the solution is learning how to deal with anger.

6 . Speaking Up

I never looked up when my friends were talking and joking about the ratarded (智障的) boy a few tables away. It didn’t even cross my mind that he might feel _______when people whispered about him. So I just let them talk.
Then came the day when I learned my little brother Martin’s testing for autism (自闭症) came out positive (阳性). I had never thought about him like that. I broke_______, crying.
Everything had just changed. He was no longer a(n) _______little boy.
Over time, I was able to accept his _______a little more. We had to_______because Martin needed treatment. So Martin and I both started at a new school. One day, I was standing in the bus line waiting when a “ short ” bus (for the retarded) came and_______up some kids. The children in the other line started making_______about the “ retarded ” on that bus and I felt a _______feeling in my heart. I said quietly that those comments weren’t very nice, _______no one listened.
My family moved again. In the new school I got a ________ to speak up pretty soon. That day, in a band class, my teacher _________our playing to make some comments, “ …Guys, we’re playing like the kids on the short bus! Come on! ”
The entire room was laughing loudly. I felt very ________. Then, I raised my hand. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say but I wanted to be heard.
The whole class ________down. My mouth opened and this came out: “ I don’t think we should make fun of the short bus, because there are people on that bus who have a lot in common with us and have the same feelings as we do.” I could feel my________getting louder. “So I would________it if you didn’t make fun of them.”
The room was very quiet and everyone stared at me. My teacher ________for his words and then started the song again. At the end of the class, everyone was giving me strange looks. But I didn’t _________because I knew three things: I had spoken the ________, I had taught everyone something, and while everyone in the classroom was being a follower, I had ________to take a different path since I wanted to become a ________and a role model.1.

A．amazed

B．hurt

C．uncertain

D．cold

2.

A．off

B．in

C．down

D．away

3.

A．normal

B．noisy

C．outstanding

D．impressive

4.

A．pain

B．interest

C．opinion

D．illness

5.

A．change

B．move

C．quit

D．study

6.

A．set

B．took

C．brought

D．picked

7.

A．jokes

B．complaints

C．choices

D．discoveries

8.

A．violent

B．strange

C．confusing

D．clear

9.

A．because

B．if

C．but

D．so

10.

A．chance

B．position

C．topic

D．point

11.

A．encouraged

B．bothered

C．enjoyed

D．stopped

12.

A．bad

B．embarrassed

C．tense

D．guilty

13.

A．sat

B．slowed

C．quieted

D．looked

14.

A．pace

B．voice

C．pulse

D．breath

15.

A．excuse

B．appreciate

C．stand

D．permit

16.

A．apologized

B．fought

C．allowed

D．argued

17.

A．understand

B．notice

C．return

D．care

18.

A．wisdom

B．importance

C．matter

D．truth

19.

A．helped

B．decided

C．agreed

D．hoped

20.

A．reporter

B．thinker

C．leader

D．trainer

7 . Should we allow modern buildings to be built next to older buildings in a historic area of a city? In order to answer this question, we must first examine whether people really want to preserve the historic feel of an area. Not all historical buildings are attractive. However, there may be other reasons—for example, economic (经济的) reasons—why they should be preserved. So, let us assume that historical buildings are both attractive and important to the majority of people. What should we do then if a new building is needed?

In my view, new architectural styles can exist perfectly well alongside an older style. Indeed, there are many examples in my own home town of Tours where modern designs have been placed very successfully next to old buildings. As long as the building in question is pleasing and does not dominate (影响) its surroundings too much, it often improves the attractiveness of the area.

It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt (破坏) the area they are in, but the same can be said of some old buildings too. Yet people still speak against new buildings in historic areas. I think this is simply because people are naturally conservative(保守的)and do not like change.

Although we have to respect people’s feelings as fellow users of the buildings, I believe that it is the duty of the architect and planner to move things forward . If we always reproduced what was there before, we would all still be living in caves. Thus, I would argue against copying previous architectural styles and choose something fresh and different , even though that might be the more risky choice.

1. What does the author say about historical buildings in the first paragraph?

A．Some of them are not attractive.

B．Most of them ate too expensive to preserve.

C．They are more pleasing than modern buildings.

D．They have nothing to do with the historic feel of an area.

2. Which of the following is true according to the author ?

A．We should reproduce the same old buildings.

B．Buildings should not dominate their surroundings.

C．Some old buildings have spoilt the area they are in.

D．No one understands why people speak against new buildings.

3. By “move things forward ” in the last paragraph , the author probably means“      ”

A．destroy old buildings

B．put things in a different place

C．respect people’s feelings for historical buildings

D．choose new architectural styles

4. What is the main purpose of the passage?

A．To explain why people dislike change.

B．To argue that modern buildings can be built in historic areas.

C．To warn that we could end up living in caves.

D．To admit how new buildings have ruined their surroundings.

8 . I used to be a very self-centered person, but in the past two years I have really changed. I have started to think about other people _______ I think about myself. I am happy that I am becoming a _______person:

I think my _______started when I was at Palomar College. At first, I just wanted to get my _______, and be left alone. I thought I was smarter than everyone else, so I hardly ever _______to anyone in my classes. By the end of my first semester, I was really _______. It seemed as if everyone but me had made friends and was having fun. So I tried a(n) _______. I started asking people around me how they were doing, and if they were having trouble I _______to help. That was really a big _______for me. By the end of the year, I had several new friends, and two of ________are still my best friends today.

A bigger cause of my new ________, however, came when I took a part-time job at a Vista Nursing Home. One old lady there who had Alzheimer s disease became my ________. Every time I came into her room, she was so ________because she thought I was her daughter. Her real daughter never ________her, so I took her place. She let me ________. That making others feel good make me feel good, too. When she died, I was ________, but I was very grateful to her.

I think I am a much ________, person today than I used to be, and I hope I will not ________these experiences. They have ________e to care about other people more than about myself. ________who I am today, and I could not say that a few years ago.

1.

A．since

B．before

C．or

D．unless

2.

A．famous

B．simple

C．different

D．skilled

3.

A．education

B．career

C．tour

D．change

4.

A．balance

B．homework

C．degree

D．interest

5.

A．talked

B．wrote

C．lied

D．reported

6.

A．careful

B．lonely

C．curious

D．guilty

7.

A．argument

B．game

C．experiment

D．defence

8.

A．dared

B．offered

C．hesitated

D．happened

9.

A．dream

B．problem

C．duty

D．step

10.

A．us

B．which

C．them

D．whom

11.

A．attitude

B．hobby

C．hope

D．luck

12.

A．friend

B．partner

C．guide

D．guest

13.

A．polite

B．happy

C．strange

D．confident

14.

A．bothered

B．answered

C．visited

D．trusted

15.

A．explain

B．guess

C．declare

D．see

16.

A．homeless

B．heart broken

C．bad-tempered

D．hopeless

17.

A．quieter

B．busier

C．better

D．richer

18.

A．forget

B．face

C．improve

D．analyze

19.

A．forced

B．preferred

C．ordered

D．taught

20.

A．miss

B．like

C．wonder

D．expect

9 . The world always makes way for the dreamer

When I was twelve years old, my father took me to see Zig Zigler. I remember sitting in that dark hall listening to Mr. Zigler _________ everyone’s spirits up to the ceiling. I _________ there feeling like I could do anything. When we got to the car, I turned to my father and said, “Dad, I want to _________ people feel like that.” My father asked me _________ I meant. “I want to be a motivational (激励人的) speaker just like Mr. Zigler,’’ I replied. A(An)_________ was born.

Recently, I began seeking my dream of motivating others._________ a four-year relationship with Fortune 100 Company _________ as a sales-trainer and ending as a regional (地区的) sales manager, I left the company at the height of my _________. Many people were _________ that I would leave after earning a six-figure income. And they wondered __________ I would risk everything for a dream.

I made my __________ to start my own company and leave my enviable position after __________ a regional sales meeting. The vice-president of our company made a __________ that changed my life. He asked us, “If a god would offer you three wishes, what would they be?” after giving us a(an)__________ to write down the three wishes, he then asked us, “Why do you need a __________?” I would never forget the power I felt at that moment. I realized that __________ I had achieved in the past had prepared me for this moment. I was ready and didn’t need a god’s help to become a motivational speaker. A motivational speaker was __________.

Having made that decision, I was immediately __________. One week after I gave notice, my husband lost his job, and now we had no __________. But I held fast to my dream. The wonder really began to happen. In a short time my husband found a better job. And I was able to book several __________ engagements (约定) with new customers. I discovered the unbelievable power of dreams.

1.

A．rise

B．do

C．put

D．raise

2.

A．left

B．came

C．arrived

D．reached

3.

A．get

B．hope

C．make

D．cheer

4.

A．that

B．what

C．which

D．if

5.

A．dream

B．idea

C．girl

D．speaker

6.

A．After

B．Before

C．Because

D．While

7.

A．beginning

B．working

C．acting

D．regarding

8.

A．life

B．love

C．money

D．career

9.

A．disappointed

B．moved

C．surprised

D．delighted

10.

A．when

B．why

C．if

D．how

11.

A．plan

B．promise

C．decision

D．mind

12.

A．attending

B．joining

C．entering

D．holding

13.

A．newspaper

B．book

C．report

D．speech

14.

A．day

B．second

C．week

D．moment

15.

A．love

B．worker

C．god

D．company

16.

A．everything

B．anything

C．nothing

D．something

17.

A．alive

B．dead

C．missing

D．born

18.

A．examined

B．searched

C．found

D．tested

19.

A．help

B．harm

C．income

D．money

20.

A．selling

B．speaking

C．writing

D．listening

10 . Most young people enjoy some forms of physical activity. It may be walking, cycling, swimming, or in winter, skating or skiing. It may be a game of some forms—football, basketball, hockey, golf or tennis. It may be mountaineering.
Those who have apassionfor climbing high and difficult mountains are often looked upon with astonishment. Why are men and women willing to suffer cold and hardship, and to take risks in high mountains? This astonishment is caused, probably, by the difference between mountaineering and other forms of activity to which men give their leisure.
Mountaineering is a sport and not a game. There are no man-made rules, as others, as there are for such games as golf and football. There are, of course, rules of different kinds which would be dangerous to ignore, but it is this freedom from man-made rules that makes mountaineering attractive to many people. Those who climb mountains are free to use their own methods.
If we compare mountaineering with other more familiar sports, we might think that one big difference is that mountaineering is not a “team game”. We should be mistaken in this. There are, it is true, no “matches” between “teams” of climbers, but when climbers are on a rock face linked by a rope on which their lives may depend, there is obviously teamwork.
The mountain climber knows that he may have to fight forces that are stronger and more powerful than man. He has to fight the forces of nature. His sport requires high mental and physical qualities.
A mountain climber continues to improve in skills year by year. A skier is probably past his best by the age of thirty. But it is not unusual for men of fifty or sixty to climb the highest mountains in the Alps. They may take more time than younger men, but they perhaps climb with more skills and less waste of effort, and they certainly experience equal enjoyment.
1. What sports are popular among people in winter in the passage?

A．Soccer and golf.	B．Skiing and skating.
C．Cycling and hockey.	D．Mountaineering.

2. The underlined word “passion” in Paragraph 2 could best be replaced by _ _____.

A．strong emotion	B．good way
C．better feeling	D．enough affection

3. Mountaineering is a sport, not a game because_______.

A．it has man-made rules

B．it is too dangerous for climbers

C．it is free for climbers to use their own methods

D．it can’t bring people joy or leisure

4. We know from the passage that _______.

A．mountaineering has no appeal for people

B．physical quality is more important than mental one for climbers

C．a mountain climber passes his best by the age of thirty

D．it is possible for an old man of fifty or sixty to climb the Alps

5. What is the best title for the passage?

A．Sports in winter	B．Team work in climbing
C．Mountaineering	D．The quality for mountaineering